SRINAGAR, Sep 10: All trains that run in the Kashmir valley were suspended for security reasons today, when separatists had called for a general strike against the visit of union home minister Rajnath Singh here.

“There was no train running on Srinagar-Badgam in central Kashmir to Baramulla in north route,” a railway official said.

He said therefore train service also remained suspended on Srinagar-Anantnag-Qazigund in south Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region for security reasons.

Train services were suspended following advisory from state administration and police, he said.

Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation demanding right to self determination, had called for a general strike today against the visit of r Singh, who arrived here yesterday on a four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

However, chairmen of both the factions of the HC Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had been put under house arrest while JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik has been arrested and lodged in Central Jail, Srinagar.

Train service was being suspended on the advice of police to prevent any damage to railway property and safety of passengers.

Rail service was also suspended on September 8 when separatists had called for protests after Friday prayers to express solidarity with the Rohingya Muslims.

However, trains chug on all routes yesterday though the service was affected for about two hours on Srinagar-Banihal track after some problem in engine of one of the trains.

Train service has become most popular mode of transport which is being considered safe, cheap and fast in the valley, where traffic jam has become a daily routine and cost of hiding other mode of transport, including cab because of no fixed rate.

Railways have suffered heavy losses after the train service remained suspended for about six months in the valley during summer unrest. Last month also the trains remained suspended for a number of days for security reasons, particularly in south Kashmir.

SRINAGAR, Sep 10: National Conference (NC) today demanded that government of India must unequivocally defend Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
According to the party, the demand was made during a meeting of NC delegation led by Omar Abdullah with union home minister Rajnath Singh.
While highlighting the political, historical and constitutional context of the state’s special status, Omar registered the party’s concern and disappointment over the central government’s ambiguity in defending th